Activists object to 7-year-old Carnival 'queen'

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 8: A seven-year-old girl being crowned the Carnival 'queen' of a top samba school has sparked off a row as the child rights activists have taken objection to it saying that the girl dancing 'in that position' would 'promote a sexual image of children and teenagers'.

Seven-year-old Julia Lira has been chosen to dance ahead of the drum corps at the Rio de Janeiro's famous Carnival. The role of the 'queen' is generally given to a sensuous woman.

This has angered the Council for the Defense of the Rights of the Child, which is fighting a legal battle to stop the girl from dancing in the Carnival.

Carlos Nicodemus, the president of the activist group, told Epoca magazine on Sunday, Feb 7, "We're not against children taking part in Carnival, but we're against them in that position, which promotes a sexual image of children and teenagers."

"The position has a high sexual connotation," he added.

The court system in Rio de Janeiro is expected to issue a ruling this week.

OneIndia News